05/16/2003LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 16, 2003
Present: Judy Melges Chair
Tom Leavy Vice Chair
Howard Adler Board Member
Frederick Dunn Board Member
Glenn Garte Board Member
Jan Regulski Board Member
Absent: Katherine Merriam Board Member
Also Present: Laurel Gustafson Assistant Library Director
Susan Doel Administrative Analyst
Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #1 – Welcome
Chair Melges welcomed Jan Regulski to the Board. Mrs. Regulski will complete the term vacated by Rhonda Smith.
ITEM #2 – Minutes
Member Frederick Dunn moved to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2003 meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report
In the absence of vacationing Library Director John Szabo, Assistant Library Director Laurel Gustafson gave the following report:
Main Library Project Update
Work continues on the north roof deck, gutters are being installed, and block
columns for the fourth floor trellis are being completed. Window sills will be installed next week, and glass installation should begin by the end of May. The building should be dried
in by the end of June.
Sunshine Law - Review
For those Board members who missed this discussion at last month’s
meeting, Mrs. Gustafson reminded the Board of the importance of following the Sunshine Law and distributed copies of most frequently asked questions available on the Florida Attorney
General’s website.
Clearwater Garden Club – Civic Beauty Award
The Clearwater Garden Club has placed a metal sign on display for six
months at the North Greenwood Branch Library in recognition of winning the semi-annual Civic Beauty Award.
Association for Library Services to Children/Econo-Clad - Jana Fine
Youth Services Manager Jana Fine is the recipient of the 2003 ALSC/Econo-Clad Literature Program Award donated by Econo-Clad Books. The award is designed to honor a member of the Association
for Library Services to Children who has developed and implemented an outstanding library program for children involving reading and the use of literature. Ms. Fine was selected for
the R.E.A.D. (Reading for Elementary Achievement and Development) program, a collaborative effort between the public library, the Friends of the Clearwater Library, the Clearwater High
School dropout prevention program (GOALS) and several day care and Title I elementary schools. Teens are trained to provide literacy experiences at story hours and to be positive role
models for young children while increasing their own self-esteem and self-worth through the experience.
ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business
State Library of Florida – Update
Mrs. Gustafson reported the State Library issue is status quo. The collection
has not moved at this time. The Florida Library Association continues to closely monitor this issue.
ITEM #5 – New Business
Database Presentation – Tracey Reed, Systems Analyst
Board members discussed the remaining agenda items before adjourning for the presentation highlighting subscription databases available from the Library’s website including GaleNet,
Reference USA, Ancestry Plus and Pinellas County Public Records.
ITEM #6 – Reports
Foundation
Chair Melges reported two more major donor pledges of $25,000 and above
to the Capital Campaign. The Fresh Market Event on May 6 was very well attended and received wonderful compliments. Ideas such as including a small silent auction are being discussed
for next time. Other events planned include:
a private sale at Stein Mart on a Sunday afternoon/early evening in August with 25% store discount and door prize drawings;
a tour of the home gallery of Roger & Sara Bansemer in October with a percentage of sales of his original works and prints to benefit the Capital Campaign.
The Capital Campaign will target the entire Clearwater area, but a very unique campaign in September will focus on the local vicinity of Belleair, Harbor Oaks, Island Estates, Clearwater
Beach, and Sand Key.
Friends
Member Regulski reported a new Friends Board will take office in September
with Dick Fitzgerald as President for a two-year term. At the July 17th City Commission meeting, Friends will present four scholarship awards to library staff working on undergraduate
or advanced degrees.
ITEM #7 – Board Comments
In response to Member Regulski’s question regarding citizen attendance at Board meetings, Board members reported both City Commissioners and citizens have attended when certain issues
of interest are on the agenda.
An inquiry made by Member Regulski regarding funding for a program on C-View will be discussed at a later meeting.
Chair Melges noted the Board will adjourn for the summer months of June, July and August and resume meeting on September 19, 2003.
ITEM #8 – Adjournment
Member Garte moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m. for the database presentation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.